tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-238211522017-08-15T17:53:32.779-07:00Brazen CycleworksSharing the excitement across the spectrum of cycling. Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-70397904634823875262017-08-04T08:26:00.002-07:002017-08-04T08:26:27.773-07:00Doubling Down for the Marine League Charities<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="15f3" data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I woke up grateful. 1 week ago, I set a goal to eclipse my previous fundraising efforts for the Marine League Charities. I believe in their mission deeply, so I wanted to do something big this year. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">My sponsors raised $1885 as of this morning. Just $115 away from doubling my goal. I am feeling humbled and inspired by the generosity that poured out of Friends and Family.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ecmfi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="15f3" data-offset-key="4jq1q-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4jq1q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4jq1q-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The 65 miles of dirt and mud will seem easy at this point. If you wanted to donate and haven't yet, <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=WGUn44xQF52pEnR7e9B5HMMDhXf8OjPlZV40r5r1SxgMYYin4vodMMDH32bZkv8dUlPp5G&amp;country.x=US&amp;locale.x=US" target="_blank">the link still available all weekend.</a></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="15f3" data-offset-key="5o0fq-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5o0fq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5o0fq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Peace, Love and Dirt,</span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="15f3" data-offset-key="9pnpg-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9pnpg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9pnpg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">-Eric</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrQkqhzvCi4/WYSSC6SdzpI/AAAAAAAAA74/HRbdg_QCkH4t1M6LMYdycA2BbuP6P62ZwCKgBGAs/s1600/%252320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrQkqhzvCi4/WYSSC6SdzpI/AAAAAAAAA74/HRbdg_QCkH4t1M6LMYdycA2BbuP6P62ZwCKgBGAs/s320/%252320.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qa_YSJovNs/WYSSEdv9j8I/AAAAAAAAA78/nQb-KQdexoounD_MDEdKGeJLvwargjhZQCKgBGAs/s1600/Fg2GC%2B13-2%2B%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qa_YSJovNs/WYSSEdv9j8I/AAAAAAAAA78/nQb-KQdexoounD_MDEdKGeJLvwargjhZQCKgBGAs/s320/Fg2GC%2B13-2%2B%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0cGIbGnHGo/WYSSFysM7_I/AAAAAAAAA8A/aFaTTW_ogBkVVYjRZmSmGWZELH_LlY-VQCKgBGAs/s1600/Fg2GC%2B13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0cGIbGnHGo/WYSSFysM7_I/AAAAAAAAA8A/aFaTTW_ogBkVVYjRZmSmGWZELH_LlY-VQCKgBGAs/s320/Fg2GC%2B13.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9pnpg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9pnpg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-23847268686192105052017-07-26T16:12:00.001-07:002017-08-03T11:19:17.131-07:00Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Ride TIME!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">This is day one of my seven day push to saturate news feeds and social networks to get the word out about the efforts to spread hope in Northern Arizona.</span><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmIPqtqDq7c/WYNo3T6LRyI/AAAAAAAAA7k/60CL25n-RFEL-sOTL17z0ZwKlPbGjKFSgCLcBGAs/s1600/122FlagtoGC2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1023" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmIPqtqDq7c/WYNo3T6LRyI/AAAAAAAAA7k/60CL25n-RFEL-sOTL17z0ZwKlPbGjKFSgCLcBGAs/s320/122FlagtoGC2010.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I wanted to let you know that it is&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">that time of year again for my annual Northern Arizona Toys for Tots&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Charity Mountain Bike Ride.&nbsp; I will be riding on historic stagecoach trails across the forest and high desert off for 65 miles&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon on Saturday, August 5th, on my&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">cross bike to raise charitable contributions that&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">bring hope to children and wounded soldiers in Arizona.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Last year, the majority of the yearly funding in a single weekend event for Marine League Charities&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">(benefiting children of Northern Arizona and members of the U.S. Armed&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Forces). This 20th year of the event we want to break our funding records.&nbsp; All&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">donations are tax deductible and go straight to the charities, as&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">event operating expenses are covered by corporate sponsors.</span><br /><br /><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The Marine League Charities, (MLC) Flagstaff, Arizona is an IRS 501.c.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">3 tax exempt organization, EID 86-0944607.&nbsp; In accordance with the&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">mission statement, the Marine League Charities (MLC) supports and&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">funds the following three local charities:&nbsp; Flagstaff Community Toys&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">for Tots Organization, Flagstaff Arts and Sports Together (FAAST), and&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">the Wounded Marine Program.&nbsp; The purpose of the MLC is to support&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">charities including those organized to assist children of Northern&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Arizona and those charities benefiting members of the U. S. Armed&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Forces.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehxsok-UJlA/WYNo2OC2LTI/AAAAAAAAA7g/ePdaM7ifniszizt2K31kG4qJ-9wSGpTcgCLcBGAs/s1600/reward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehxsok-UJlA/WYNo2OC2LTI/AAAAAAAAA7g/ePdaM7ifniszizt2K31kG4qJ-9wSGpTcgCLcBGAs/s320/reward.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The primary item delivered by these organizations to those in need is&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">HOPE.&nbsp; These charities provide services and activities for the&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">children of Ash Fork, Flagstaff, Tusayan, Valle, Williams, and&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">communities of the Havasupai, Hopi, and Navajo Indian Reservations.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Activities include a sports festival, Shoot-Out-in-the-Pines and</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">multiple Christmas parties during the holiday season where&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">entertainment, refreshments and toys are provided.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;The organizations reach out to let those in need to&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">let them know the community cares.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">All the fun and pain happens on August 5th, 2017 and I hope you can&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">help with my donation drive.&nbsp; Cash or checks in any amount are&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">accepted. <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fwebscr%3Fcmd%3D_s-xclick%26hosted_button_id%3DRG8YCSZM36T5J&amp;h=ATO0oqvKIlrjQubVSGDju8Dk6GTkXoCXRlGvDaSevm6g60dONXW6cAli-qGujvQr74WuejRRWjVOZXadlIESNrZjIk45O3_ZY38bcYyyvRB5m4SrUfCD0Sjj5m2P7WeIkr1l9QPtcQ" target="_blank">Electronic contributions&nbsp;are through Paypal</a>. &nbsp;Checks should be made Payable to: Marine League Charities.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Donations can be made anytime, I am working to raise $1000 by Thursday August 3th.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Open up your hearts and give a donation in any amount to help benefit&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">the Marine League Charities.&nbsp; There is no minimum or maximum donation,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">my goal is to get even more&nbsp;</span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">supporters</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;than 2015 and raise in excess of $1000. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; A simple tax-deductible donation coupon&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">is below for you to use when April 15th comes around.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">More information on the event can be found at&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.flag2gc.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501196245599000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHV6IHSnaazhrGWJ9kvzy7xjIaNog" href="http://www.flag2gc.com/" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">http://www.flag2gc.com/</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;.</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Thanks for helping me share my message of HOPE, by linking and sharing on your social feeds &nbsp;Let's work together and deliver hope to kids and soldiers across the state.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynL4nGJ7EHA/WYNou4QDIDI/AAAAAAAAA7c/9UlrgDPd8D8vHgCqJZwnTwO7KrUSwMGGACLcBGAs/s1600/charity_santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynL4nGJ7EHA/WYNou4QDIDI/AAAAAAAAA7c/9UlrgDPd8D8vHgCqJZwnTwO7KrUSwMGGACLcBGAs/s320/charity_santa.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-71494951886548178392015-07-27T07:41:00.001-07:002015-07-30T10:46:15.260-07:00Finding a Perfect Moment on a BicycleYesterday was the final day for the 2015 Tour de France, the remaining riders crossed the finish line &nbsp;in Paris and enjoyed well deserved champagne and respect from cyclists and cycling fans throughout the world. &nbsp;I too finished my tour de france yesterday, no not the professional race but a satisfying day on my bike that left me with a wide smile.<br /><br />I have been enjoying those satisfying days on the bike for more than 40 years, and riding in July always allows my mind to wander to the greatest race as I glide across the road with only my spinning gears and wind in my face. &nbsp;It has been that way since I had my 5th birthday party and removing my training wheels was the present that I remember vividly. &nbsp;Freedom and flow wrapped in a fantastic machine, just waiting to be unleashed. Many birthdays passed and bikes came and went, but it wasn't until I was about 13, that a real change happened.<br /><br />My classmate, Carrie Andrew and her mom Sharon who had cousins/ suffering through Cystic Fibrosis, held a charity cycling event, The CF Bike-A-Thon. &nbsp;It was held on the Parker High School dirt cinder track and we would raise $$ for CF research and treatment on a per lap basis. &nbsp;This was my first tour de france, I had read magazines and newspapers and books. &nbsp;This time would be riding, not reading. &nbsp;I had pretty good bike building skills by then, and assembled garage sale purchases and thrown away road frame into a pretty ratty, but quite functional bike. &nbsp;I canvased my neighborhood for sponsors, if you weren't home when I went by the first time, I would be back knocking and looking for pledges, until I had asked everyone I ran into for help. <br /><br />Then came ride day. I was determined and excited and ready to turn in my pledge form and ride. &nbsp;I was thrilled at the quick start and the laps quickly added up on the 1/4 mile track. 10, 20, 40, 60. &nbsp;I had "it". &nbsp;My tour de france moment, racing around lap after lap with the wind in my face. The kids on BMX bikes slowly tired, took breaks, and fell into the infield. &nbsp;I couldn't get enough, everything seemed right in the world. After an hour the track was emptying out and the riders laying in the grass increased. I was determined. &nbsp;They kept track of my lap count and I was nearing 100. &nbsp;It seemed like perfection, a full satisfying effort and the longest ride I had ever completed, 100 laps - 25 miles. &nbsp;I hadn't completed the most laps, there was an adult cyclist with a real touring bike that did more, but it didn't dampen what I felt. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-YgK5F12NA/VbZOTLV8j5I/AAAAAAAAAtc/2buzxIK-JCY/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-YgK5F12NA/VbZOTLV8j5I/AAAAAAAAAtc/2buzxIK-JCY/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />There was the fullness of effort, and satisfaction of lending a hand to those in need. &nbsp;I was hooked. &nbsp;I paraded around my pledge sheet to my sponsors with pride, they were often quite shocked about the the tenacity of a 13 year old, but the lap tally sheet was the proof and they gladly paid. &nbsp;That was a PERFECT MOMENT, and likely why I remember it clearly even after other memories have faded. A special thanks to Carrie, Charity and Sharon who organized my first tour de france on that dusty dirt track.<br /><br />Now at 45 years old, I am still find joy in cycling and have done a large variety of events over the years. &nbsp;But very few bring me back to that warm and dusty day on the track, except one. &nbsp;That is the Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Fat Tire Ride. &nbsp;It is largely an old stagecoach route of about 65 miles on dirt paths and dirt roads. &nbsp;It isn't the most difficult ride I have done, but it isn't a walk in the park either, it takes most of the day and finishes close to Tusayan in tall pines where cold beer flows freely. &nbsp;This ride yields PERFECT MOMENTS every time I do it. &nbsp;It is the people who ride, the people who volunteer, the sponsors that foot the expenses, and benefiting organization that is the thoughtful steward of the funds raised. The fatigue fades as the body recovers, but the goodness stays and lingers and is shared to many who need it.<br /><br />You can read about the<a href="http://flag2gc.com/the-ride/ride-history/" target="_blank"> ride history here</a>. &nbsp;But it was started by accident by well meaning cyclists, who became event organizers by default when they saw all the good they could do with the help of the local organization, <a href="http://flag2gc.com/the-charity/" target="_blank">Marine League Charities</a>. <br /><br />This year the event has grown to 200 cyclists with a goal to raise $60,000. &nbsp;<a href="http://flag2gc.com/the-charity/" target="_blank">Marine League Charities</a> fund many northern Arizona efforts to support Veteran Families with injured Veterans, <a href="http://flag2gc.com/the-charity/a-word-from-one-of-our-sponsors-our-cause/" target="_blank">Toys for Tots for kids in Havasupai</a>. &nbsp;They are the compassionate Americans that reach out and deliver Hope to those in their community and I am proud to support them. &nbsp;I know this is a long post, but I wanted to include why this matters to me, and include a request to Share and Support my efforts.<br /><br />I am riding on August 1st, and trying to collect any cash/check donations by Friday. &nbsp;You can also <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=RG8YCSZM36T5J" target="_blank">contribute online here</a>, and add a message "I'm supporting Eric Brandt". &nbsp;Even sharing my story on social media platforms is a helpful as more virtual "door knocking" the better. &nbsp;We live in a very compassionate and giving country, I embrace all the kindness that Americans show to each other in many forms of charitable acts. Thanks for your support in prayers, spreading the word, and your giving.<br /><br />Tailwinds,<br />-Eric<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAXd-6tddFY/Ufg1bd0CLrI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Q8bSrkd5hYs/s1600/122FlagtoGC2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAXd-6tddFY/Ufg1bd0CLrI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Q8bSrkd5hYs/s1600/122FlagtoGC2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-31299618941667782722013-10-03T10:28:00.001-07:002013-10-04T08:20:50.583-07:00LinkedTogether#334296874H43FGLinkedTogether#334296874H43FG<br />This is my attempt to reach out further to cyclists that I sell to.&nbsp; This is a random code I created that you can Google and get my <a href="mailto:brazen.cycleworks@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">email address</a> quickly and easily.&nbsp; I am happy to talk on the phone with potential buyers, just send me your number.&nbsp; Normally, I respond so quickly I catch people off guard.<br />Cheers,<br /><a href="http://www.ebay.com/usr/brazen_cycle_works" target="_blank">Brazen_Cycle_Works</a><br /><a href="mailto:brazen.cycleworks@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eric Brandt</a>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-2105772894234607292013-07-31T14:20:00.001-07:002013-07-31T14:50:50.644-07:00Belt Drive MTBs are they ready for PRIME TIME?Recently I purchased a new mountain bike for 2 reasons.&nbsp; One, the frame design was old school and evoked a feeling of nostalgia, that I don't often feel. Two, the frame had split stays which would allow the bike to be easily converted to Belt Drive.<br /><br />The bike is a 2011 Trek- Gary Fisher Sawyer and had some of the worst paint I have seen on a MTB.&nbsp; The paint was a non-descript sad grey and although the bike had seen no dirt, just shop wear, and hanging the bike on bike racks had taken a toll.<br /><br />Step one was to add a real durable finish and <a href="http://1offpowdercoating.com/" target="_blank">1 Off Powdercoating</a> came to the rescue.&nbsp; Dale did his typical excellent job, even though with all the curved tubes and strange shapes.&nbsp; I selected Grabber Orange, which is closer to Yellow than Orange.&nbsp; The color reminded me of my first bike which also had curved top tubes and it also reminded me of a original 1970s Honda ATV that used the same color.<br /><br />Unfortunately, selection of the belt drive components wasn't as smooth.&nbsp; As an experience mechanic I expected very few issues. 1 belt and 2 sprockets.&nbsp; DONE!<br /><br />Well there are several iterations of Gates Carbon Drive components available.&nbsp; They are not compatible with each other. The naming conventions does allow for clear distinctions when parts shopping, so I don't think DIY applications were a high priority for Gates.<br /><br />In my quest for components the first thing I noticed is how pricey they are.&nbsp; Plan on spending at least double, what you would for a chain drive equivalent.&nbsp; The online calculators are very useful once you have the chainstay length of the frame you will be using.<br /><br />One thing that is important but hard to uncover is that most of the current applications are really for a specific marketing segment.&nbsp; Based on the <a href="http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/" target="_blank">Carbon Drive</a> home page that segment is urban hipsters who wear white and are deathly afraid of chain oil.&nbsp; I am not sure what they use for lubricating their hubs, bottom brackets, and headsets, but I am guessing it is a synthetic version of their own smugness.&nbsp; So if you ride in the city, work in a loft and have a monochromatic lifestyle a belt drive bike is for you!<br /><br />You will discover in reading the <a href="http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/~/media/CDS/Documents/OEMFactoryResources/Gates-Carbon-Drive-Tech-Bulletin-Tension-Recommendations.ashx" target="_blank">Tech bulletin</a> that if you are riding a Mountain bike or Fixed Gear you will need nearly double the belt tension for proper performance. Okay, no problem, probably a bit more resistance too, but wearing white pants is probably worth it.&nbsp; Wait.&nbsp; Doubling the tension is when you are going from city cruiser with internal hub to the Mountain or Fixed Gear application and are a Lightweight Speedster.&nbsp; If you can figure out what a lightweight speedster is, then good for you.&nbsp; I think that means God gave you thighs that don't generate enough watts to impress anyone... ever.&nbsp; So for normal riders that HAMMER, SPRINT, CLIMB, GENERATE 1000 WATTS, and KICK ASS and ride MTB or FIXED GEARS triple the belt tension.&nbsp; nearly TRIPLE, really. From 35kg to 85kg.<br /><br />Now your frame flex is coming into play and Gates has a program for OEMs to analyze their rear ends.&nbsp; I am not making that up.&nbsp; It also matters how much belt wrap you have.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/~/media/CDS/Documents/OEMFactoryResources/Carbon%20Drive%20Calculator%20RevASansTandem.ashx" target="_blank">My selected gear</a> was 39x22 yielding a ratio 1.75, which I though would be perfect for my 29ER SS.&nbsp; I was warned that more belt wrap is required for this application. That means jumping up to 46x26 and a 118 tooth belt instead of 113. Don't worry though because there is an <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/carbon-drive-bicycle-calculator/id438346486?mt=8" target="_blank">app for that</a>.<br /><br />Sounds to me like I am back to chain drive for the epic ride this weekend, because I have a lot of belt drive components to sell and then re-buy.&nbsp; So it will be a while before you see me trying to BELT ONE OUT, but I think I might have also avoided an on-trail disaster, on a ride that means so much to me.<br /><br />Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-12410399188404969522013-07-30T14:51:00.002-07:002013-07-30T14:51:53.263-07:00Hal, this one is for you!<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:1,&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:3}"><span class="userContent">My 2013 <a href="http://flag2gc.com/" target="_blank">Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon Fat Tire Bike ride</a> will be dedicated to the memory of <a href="http://azdailysun.com/news/local/hal-jensen-no-toy-left-behind/article_3d84dc3b-5f30-51aa-bdae-4ac29001e312.html" target="_blank">Hal Jensen</a>. Hal was the retired Marine that always was selflessly looking out for others.<br /> <br /> Hal passed last year on October 6th but his passion, enthusiasm and never give up attitude will be carried by those of us who met him. Undoubtedly, his impact has been and will continue to be felt by those he has helped. Hal you were a great example of a life well lived. Oorah!</span></span></span></span></h5><h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:1,&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> A special thanks goes out to all my supporters, $452 we raised on first day, with current total at $552. Keeping the wheels turning!</span></span></span></span></h5><h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:1,&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:3}"><span class="userContent"><a href="http://brazencycleworks.blogspot.com/2010/08/o-all-my-supporters-i-thank-you-for.html" target="_blank">My ride from 2010. </a></span></span></span></span></h5><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAXd-6tddFY/Ufg1bd0CLrI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Q8bSrkd5hYs/s1600/122FlagtoGC2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAXd-6tddFY/Ufg1bd0CLrI/AAAAAAAAAQU/Q8bSrkd5hYs/s1600/122FlagtoGC2010.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div><h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:1,&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:3}"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></span></span></span></h5>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-44691697327784616442013-05-16T16:14:00.000-07:002013-05-16T16:14:01.212-07:00Ezra is an amazing person and a kick ass bike builderI just watched this video today, but his photos and his bikes left me in awe.<br /><a href="http://www.teachingcancertocry.com/?p=797" target="_blank">True Beauty.</a><br /><br /> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/66106900" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-54976909043027766112013-05-08T15:11:00.001-07:002013-05-08T15:38:33.786-07:00Vintage Bike to benefit Marine League CharitiesSpecialized Stumpjumper Year 2 1983 1984 Vintage 30 years of MTB History 17"<br />100% of sale is going to the Marine League Charities, current asking price is $800<br /><br />This is a <a href="http://brazencycleworks.blogspot.com/2013/03/american-picker-eric-goes-free-stylin.html" target="_blank">farm Fresh Pick</a> that I did a rolling restoration on. The bike is also available for ebay sale and I expect to exceed my $500 goal but prefer to sell it off ebay. <br /><br />Non original components include Tires, Freewheel, Chain, Bottom Bracket, Rear Derailleur, Thumb shifters, Grips. New components include Grips, Seat, Freewheel and Chain. The bike is in riding condition as it sits today. Here are the historical specs from MOMBAT on this bike. <a href="http://mombat.org/Specialized_Specs.htm">http://mombat.org/Specialized_Specs.htm</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9opuRsuXx1s/UYrRkNayDoI/AAAAAAAAANY/zjePKbmw7x4/s1600/$(KGrHqN,!qMFGBSkEpSDBRistq0Frg~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9opuRsuXx1s/UYrRkNayDoI/AAAAAAAAANY/zjePKbmw7x4/s320/$(KGrHqN,!qMFGBSkEpSDBRistq0Frg~~60_57.JPG" /></a></div>Original Components are in ALL CAPS. Year, Model, Frame, Fork, Headset, Rear Derailleur, Front Derailleur, Hubs, Rims, Tires, Brakes, Brake Levers, Crank, Pedals, Shifter, Bars, Freewheel, Stem, Color 1983, Stumpjumper, TANGE CRO-MO, DB CRO-MO, Channel Seal, Suntour Mountech, SUNTOUR MOUNTECH, SPECIALIZED SEALED, ARAYA 7X, Stumpjumper, Mafac canti, TOMMASELLI, SUGINO AT TRIPLE 26/36/46, Suntour XC I, Suntour thumb, Ritchey bull moose, Suntour 5 13/30, na, BLUE 1984, Stumpjumper OS, Cro-Moly, Cro-Mo, Suntour LeTech, Suntour LeTech, Specialized sealed, Saturae anno, Tri-Cross, SHIMANO DEORE XT, Tommaselli Sugino, TAT 26/36/46, SUNTOUR XC II, Suntour thumb, SPECIALIZED MOD IV, Suntour NW 13/30, SLINGSHOT ALLOY<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bttdLt0h94A/UYrRdXL8QXI/AAAAAAAAANI/LJ0DwC3iGTE/s1600/$(KGrHqIOKp0E-FYi,7vnBRirMWedU!~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bttdLt0h94A/UYrRdXL8QXI/AAAAAAAAANI/LJ0DwC3iGTE/s320/$(KGrHqIOKp0E-FYi,7vnBRirMWedU!~~60_57.JPG" /></a>This is going to make a nice addition to someone's collection. This 17" version has very little rust as a Arizona bike, It has been washed and reconditioned. I did notice the top of seat tube is splayed out somewhat at tips, but 26.6 SR post seems to be in just fine. The right side of the paint has some sun fading and pictures are best way to grade this magnificent ride.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUalbRRN-IE/UYrRWfXhG8I/AAAAAAAAAM4/5tZJGvpzE88/s1600/$(KGrHqIOKo8FGKL,7oYzBRirN!0i)w~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUalbRRN-IE/UYrRWfXhG8I/AAAAAAAAAM4/5tZJGvpzE88/s320/$(KGrHqIOKo8FGKL,7oYzBRirN!0i)w~~60_57.JPG" /></a>Since this bike was last listed I returned the bike back to a more mid eighties functioning. Grip shift and 7 spd drivetrain were removed. Shimano non indexing thumb-shifters, a new high polish 5spd chain and freewheel were added with Oury style grips. The Gel saddle was replaced with new saddle, but I am open to swaps.<br /><br />Normally I respond within 5 minutes to BEST OFFERS, please understand that with this item due to the high demand I am likely to let some offers simmer while others are coming in. The bike is also on my blog with more photos. I am always willing to chat with potential buyers and questions and clarifications are always appreciated with vintage bicycles.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NP7OIl9QCsY/UYrRgh1cZVI/AAAAAAAAANQ/nclUOxHXEn4/s1600/$(KGrHqJ,!rQFGJWNw)bwBRirL+UYOg~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NP7OIl9QCsY/UYrRgh1cZVI/AAAAAAAAANQ/nclUOxHXEn4/s320/$(KGrHqJ,!rQFGJWNw)bwBRirL+UYOg~~60_57.JPG" /></a>Given a bit more time I would polish out the cranks, clean the pedal spindles, clean some overspray off the seatpost, swap in an original bottom bracket. But these are great items for the NEW OWNER to consider as the bike is great as it sits.<br /><br />&nbsp;100% of the auction proceeds are going to the <a href="http://flagstaffmarineleaguecharities.com/">Marine League Charities, an Arizona 501.C(3) Not-For-Profit Charitable Corporation EID 86-0944607</a>. As a matter of fact if you would like to pay via check, you can get credit for the Tax Donation. They are a great local Arizona charity that I have supported for years. 100% goes to a very worthy cause. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UCKr2-ANew/UYrRZ6KXp3I/AAAAAAAAANA/GcvOgBdioKk/s1600/$(KGrHqIOKosFFz43uMFiBRirM0gbm!~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UCKr2-ANew/UYrRZ6KXp3I/AAAAAAAAANA/GcvOgBdioKk/s320/$(KGrHqIOKosFFz43uMFiBRirM0gbm!~~60_57.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UBBsR3FSY0/UYrRnrAdK5I/AAAAAAAAANg/QJJObcqtLdo/s1600/$T2eC16J,!y0E9s2S5)-8BRirNO,ogw~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UBBsR3FSY0/UYrRnrAdK5I/AAAAAAAAANg/QJJObcqtLdo/s320/$T2eC16J,!y0E9s2S5)-8BRirNO,ogw~~60_57.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hvwCZwvkiA/UYrRrQbpaOI/AAAAAAAAANo/rfaa4GeNRSE/s1600/$T2eC16Z,!)EE9s2uiP,4BRirNkh46Q~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hvwCZwvkiA/UYrRrQbpaOI/AAAAAAAAANo/rfaa4GeNRSE/s320/$T2eC16Z,!)EE9s2uiP,4BRirNkh46Q~~60_57.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9U9tBvfvzA/UYrRu-uYSTI/AAAAAAAAANw/0q-s9c3LQxg/s1600/$T2eC16Z,!zQE9s3stvlkBRirN,Oi!g~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9U9tBvfvzA/UYrRu-uYSTI/AAAAAAAAANw/0q-s9c3LQxg/s320/$T2eC16Z,!zQE9s3stvlkBRirN,Oi!g~~60_57.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXW17bF31go/UYrRykH-V9I/AAAAAAAAAN4/C0ddn0kXNCM/s1600/$T2eC16dHJGQFFh)oZzMnBRirMhSiZQ~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXW17bF31go/UYrRykH-V9I/AAAAAAAAAN4/C0ddn0kXNCM/s320/$T2eC16dHJGQFFh)oZzMnBRirMhSiZQ~~60_57.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDlw1C_9bJ4/UYrR2Fm2opI/AAAAAAAAAOA/-6uGcoaYvoU/s1600/$T2eC16dHJHIFFhsdpC1FBRirNIYbUw~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDlw1C_9bJ4/UYrR2Fm2opI/AAAAAAAAAOA/-6uGcoaYvoU/s320/$T2eC16dHJHIFFhsdpC1FBRirNIYbUw~~60_57.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iESXBkimxJ4/UYrR5suVFOI/AAAAAAAAAOI/RRceUF-unLk/s1600/$T2eC16dHJIQE9qUHuFOYBRirMqgrm!~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iESXBkimxJ4/UYrR5suVFOI/AAAAAAAAAOI/RRceUF-unLk/s320/$T2eC16dHJIQE9qUHuFOYBRirMqgrm!~~60_57.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVVvjnhsLmg/UYrR9Fnu_xI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/5uxP3je6hnI/s1600/$T2eC16h,!)UE9s3wEgeYBRirL5SJcw~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVVvjnhsLmg/UYrR9Fnu_xI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/5uxP3je6hnI/s320/$T2eC16h,!)UE9s3wEgeYBRirL5SJcw~~60_57.JPG" /></a>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-15373046525670554442013-03-23T11:36:00.002-07:002013-03-23T11:36:20.860-07:00Yes I am that guy on eBay<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Hey Eric are you the same Brazen_Cycle_Works on eBay?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">I do get this question a lot, and yes I buy and sell on eBay under that user name.&nbsp; I used to sell much more on ebay, but the fees between Paypal and eBay have gone out of control.&nbsp; It is difficult to pass on really great deals when ebay takes such a generous cut for themselves.&nbsp; I have turned to Craigslist &gt; Phoenix&gt; East Valley to sell which has been nice, but I rarely list items for sale on my blog.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">If you see an item I am selling I can make you a very competitive offer,&nbsp;so feel free to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><a href="mailto:brazen.cycleworks@gmail.com">email me directly</a>, with your phone number and how I can help.&nbsp; Spammers and scammers don't do this so I will know you are serious. I would be happy to give you a prompt call.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Consolas;"><span class="vi-xs vi-lk">Item number: 280882623955</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeepdLN4U4U/T1lBvUiNs3I/AAAAAAAAAKE/RbIMXzUp9F8/s1600/chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeepdLN4U4U/T1lBvUiNs3I/AAAAAAAAAKE/RbIMXzUp9F8/s1600/chart.png" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-55548527432292523492013-03-07T15:30:00.002-07:002013-03-08T15:14:40.392-07:00American Picker- Eric goes Free Stylin'<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">I was minding my own business today at lunch when I stumbled into a FREE STUFF Craigslist ad that read.&nbsp; <i>Old bikes kids &amp; adults</i>.&nbsp; I looked at the pictures and recognized a early Specialized Stumpjumper and Schwinn Sierra.&nbsp; These are normally snapped up instantly&nbsp;but I emailed first to let the seller know the bike was valuable.&nbsp; Then, I thought maybe she just wanted the bikes gone, so I emailed again that I would pickup the bikes in 15 minutes and bring her $20.&nbsp; My phone rang 10 minutes later.&nbsp; I explained that the bike she had was valuable and I fix and restore bikes and would be willing to fix and sell the bike and we could split the proceeds.&nbsp; She declined but was interested in the 20 bucks.&nbsp; 15 minutes later I was the new owner of a 83/84 Specialized Stumpjumper.&nbsp; The bike wasn't perfect or completely original, but pretty close.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Non original components include Tires, Freewheel, Chain, Rear Derailleur, Thumb shifters, Grips.&nbsp; Here is the </span><a href="http://mombat.org/Specialized_Specs.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">specs from MOMBAT</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"> on this bike. My Components are <b>BOLDED</b>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Year, Model, Frame, Fork, Headset, Rear Derailleur, Front Derailleur, Hubs, Rims, Tires, Brakes, Brake Levers, Crank, Pedals, Shifter, Bars, Freewheel, Stem, Color </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1983, Stumpjumper, Tange Cro-Mo, DB Cro-Mo, Channel Seal, Suntour Mountech, <b>Suntour Mountech,</b> <b>Specialized sealed, Araya 7X,</b> Stumpjumper, Mafac canti, <b>Tommaselli, Sugino AT triple 26/36/46,</b> Suntour XC I, Suntour thumb, Ritchey bull moose, Suntour 5 13/30, NA, <b>Blue </b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1984, <b>Stumpjumper OS, Cro-Moly, Cro-Mo,</b> Suntour LeTech, Suntour LeTech, Specialized sealed, Saturae anno, Tri-Cross, <b>Shimano Deore XT,</b> Tommaselli Sugino, TAT 26/36/46, <b>Suntour XC II,</b> Suntour thumb, <b>Specialized Mod IV, </b>Suntour NW 13/30, <b>Slingshot alloy </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">This is going to make a nice addition to someone's collection.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://s9.beta.photobucket.com/user/brazencycleworks/media/photo5_zps4d70631d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_photo5_zps4d70631d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo photo5_zps4d70631d.jpg"></a>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-16080763286833625182012-07-26T04:00:00.002-07:002012-07-26T04:00:50.748-07:00Nike: Find Your GreatnessOn the eve of the Olympics, Nike is pouring its support behind ordinary athletes in its Greatness Everywhere campaign. I just saw it this morning as the first featured video on Youtube home page and it is pretty cool, with a nice message. Even cooler I am featured at 0:39, I swam all morning under the London Bridge as an extra for the triathlon shot for 1 sec of imagery that was used. It was a neat experience as I am a Huge Olympics fan. Check out the video here. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_hEzW1WRFTg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-3301506589664395782012-07-22T06:41:00.000-07:002012-07-22T06:42:46.723-07:00Final day of Tour de France<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jeWMOhCywsU/UAwDV77SNjI/AAAAAAAAAKs/gNcpmhnz6Qk/s1600/photo%2B1-766723.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jeWMOhCywsU/UAwDV77SNjI/AAAAAAAAAKs/gNcpmhnz6Qk/s320/photo%2B1-766723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767988898153248306" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-irGK22z-niY/UAwDWPU5V_I/AAAAAAAAAK4/y4YvgPoqH5Q/s1600/photo%2B2-768270.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-irGK22z-niY/UAwDWPU5V_I/AAAAAAAAAK4/y4YvgPoqH5Q/s320/photo%2B2-768270.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767988903360944114" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0J8taR6sqY/UAwDWSnFQhI/AAAAAAAAALE/Um4Uhch_tcg/s1600/photo%2B3-769822.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0J8taR6sqY/UAwDWSnFQhI/AAAAAAAAALE/Um4Uhch_tcg/s320/photo%2B3-769822.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767988904242528786" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hr5nh_Vu8sI/UAwDW7_gAQI/AAAAAAAAALQ/DETZ5KhjwKs/s1600/photo%2B4-771286.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hr5nh_Vu8sI/UAwDW7_gAQI/AAAAAAAAALQ/DETZ5KhjwKs/s320/photo%2B4-771286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5767988915350798594" /></a></p>Today will be an epic fight for tour pride on the cobbles around the
<br>monuments in Paris. Today I took a ride of my own around Amboise, it
<br>was fun to see villages on a quiet Sunday and have most of the roads
<br>to myself. However I haven&#39;t ridden a woman&#39;s grocery getter since
<br>college, but it worked well if I exclude the rear brake.Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-26611216756803347682012-07-12T02:00:00.000-07:002012-07-13T04:07:22.748-07:00Stage 10 TdFToday we travelled past Macon to jump in front of the tour as it headed south. It was just 45 minutes into the day and the break was just getting established. Sagan was drilling it through the village we were watching from. Sagan dragged Oss with him and the chase was on with another 20 or so. It seemed like less than a minute for each of the three groups to pass, but without timing it you would never know. The excitement was fun, and you could feel the energy of the peleton breeze by. Below is the series of photos of the three groups in reverse order. See who you can recognize. I saw Wiggo, Cav, Griepel and more... <div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa69%2Fbrazencycleworks%2F2012%2520TdF%2FStage%252010%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/2012%20TdF/Stage%2010/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-36026544145116971602012-07-12T01:00:00.000-07:002012-07-12T23:35:30.918-07:00Crazy Advertising CaravanIt get nuts about and hour before the riders arrive. The vehicles defy description so I included a slideshow to show off the energy of madness in the tour. Youtube link to follow. <div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa69%2Fbrazencycleworks%2F2012%2520TdF%2FStage%252010%2520Caravan%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/2012%20TdF/Stage%2010%20Caravan/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-64530286218606684522012-05-22T15:24:00.001-07:002012-05-22T15:24:08.932-07:00Getting ready to replace your ride?I admire and respect the advice that Lennard Zinn delivers. Reach and Stack are the key industry words that you need to know. For those of you wanting to setup multiple bikes the same way, here is the <a href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/05/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/technical-faq-setting-your-bikes-up-identically_216035">guide you need</a>.Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-1920267701989531032012-05-17T14:40:00.000-07:002012-05-17T20:28:15.134-07:002012 Tour of California Time Trial<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Will this season be Jens Voigt's last?&nbsp; I have to say I enjoyed his famous quote about what <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro-bike-jens-voigts-trek-madone" target="_blank">his internal dialogue</a> is like when racing for the win in a ridiculous break. I just found out he has 6 kids, damn this guy can do it all! Mad props brother!</span><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/photo-22.jpg" /></a> <br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Is it just me or did Levi's early season crash leave him with a rather large growth on his back?</span><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/photo-23.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Do TJ's friends call him Tijuana as a nickname?&nbsp; If I was I would.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/photo-24.jpg" /></a><center> <a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/photo-55.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_photo-55.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/photo-54.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_photo-54.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/photo-52.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_photo-52.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/photo-25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_photo-25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a></center>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-1605858954915715892012-05-16T10:43:00.001-07:002012-05-16T13:24:14.221-07:00Isn't technology great!<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">I am in love and totally obessed with STRAVA.&nbsp; I find that goal oriented riding is driving up my intensity even on short rides and really improving my leg speed and power.&nbsp; It isn't often I get to ride with friends, so having a social component ia fun way to stay connected and encourage others.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">The next step for me is probably a Garmin 500, my current Iphone is a 3GS and it can only handle rides that are&nbsp;2.5 hours.&nbsp; I am a bit surprised by my STRAVA obsession as I have never even had a computer or power meter installed on my 2008 BH Connect.&nbsp; </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYe4-CH-pu0/T7PklLYxPlI/AAAAAAAAAKY/-6XulpifPXE/s1600/Email+Me.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img border="0" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYe4-CH-pu0/T7PklLYxPlI/AAAAAAAAAKY/-6XulpifPXE/s1600/Email+Me.png" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">If you are interested in picking up a screaming deal on a 2010 BH CONNECT, do not wait.&nbsp; Use the image below and email me pronto.&nbsp; They are new and I have a very limited supply(54cm, 58cm, 59.5cm)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">I can't say enough about mine, <a href="http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/road-bike/bh/connect-road-bike/prd_410370_5668crx.aspx" target="_blank">but don't take my word for it.</a>&nbsp; It is comfortable, predictable, efficient, handles like a performance car and light enough to be built into a UCI illegal configuration.&nbsp; What I like is that I don't feel like I have given anything up.&nbsp; Some super light carbon bikes flex and wiggle out of control when the hammer is down and you are sprinting or climbing out of the saddle.&nbsp; For me that is the last time you want to feel like your bike succumbing to your riding inputs.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Just last week, I was hammering through a intersection on a well timed light.&nbsp; I really was feeling the love and kept dropping gears as I accelerated out of the saddle.&nbsp; It wasn't until I got home and downloaded STRAVA to see it was a 45 mph crossing of that intersection.&nbsp; I had some tailwind but it wasn't gusting, I hope it is accurate because I will be trying that sprint again real soon.&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><iframe allowtransparency="allowtransparency" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/runs/8190584/embed/3995d5c30bc1a0a1dec99b55bb2bfd2bd14dfcd1" width="590"></iframe><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span>&nbsp; <br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">The basics of the story is that even going down to the 12 and 13 and putting out everything I had in a FULL SPRINT the bike tracked like an arrow and I had full confidence to push it to the MAX.&nbsp; That is what I love about my bike. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/1%20Temp%20Sales/photo1-6-5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/1%20Temp%20Sales/photo2-7-5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/1%20Temp%20Sales/photo3-7-4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/1%20Temp%20Sales/photo4-6-7.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/1%20Temp%20Sales/photo-22-2.jpg" /></a> </center>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-19145014666790179322012-05-15T12:42:00.000-07:002012-05-16T12:43:27.366-07:00Is 25c the MAGIC width?<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">I migrated slowly in 2011 from 23c tires, to the Continental Gran Prix 24c tires and loved them.&nbsp; The comfort and confidence on rough pavement&nbsp;made them a great choice for El Tour de Tucson.&nbsp; When it was time to replace them I wondered if even wider would be better.&nbsp; Michelin Pro Race 3 in 25c went on and I haven't been happier.&nbsp; I used them in Tour&nbsp;de Mesa and had a great result.&nbsp; I was descending on Shea at a very high rate of speed when the guy in front of me lead me into a big pot hole.&nbsp; The impact was violent,&nbsp;and I even sat up momentarily thinking double flats might be possible.&nbsp; But NOTHING!&nbsp; Now it looks like the </span><a href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/05/news/giro-tech-rise-of-the-25c-tire_218011" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Pros are getting the word</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"> too.&nbsp;</span>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-37500244192263735202012-05-11T16:51:00.002-07:002012-05-11T16:51:32.478-07:00Ronde de SanTandria<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: large;">This ride circumnavigates the San Tan Mountains.&nbsp; The effort required is not reflected in the mileage.&nbsp; It was the best I ride I could find to make a Gilbert version of the Tour of Flanders.&nbsp; It has 4 miles of dirt "road" riding [bring your 25 tires&nbsp;or bigger]&nbsp;which includes&nbsp;2 gate crossings, 3 deep sand washes, one pissed off Pitbull, a nice sector of 50s era&nbsp;asphalt pave, and no place to refill your water bottles.&nbsp;&nbsp; Starts and finishes at Focus Cyclery and would probably exactly 50 miles if you take safer roads.&nbsp; Hands: Numb, Feet: Asleep, Butt: Unhappy, Smile: Unrestrained.</span><iframe allowtransparency="allowtransparency" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/runs/8318797/embed/a81f2f2143fcbe7c5fc3a26561386a6462ef7dd4" width="590"></iframe>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-15663685882159616012012-05-09T13:18:00.000-07:002012-05-16T13:21:35.877-07:00Rode Road Bikes<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">I always meant this blog to capture the personal history I have had with cycling.&nbsp; Part of that history are the bikes I have ridden.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">In order from Present to Past here is my list.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">BH Connect, Club Fuji, Fetish Penna, Serotta Nova, Parkpre Ultralight Prestige Fixed Gear, Specialized Allez Sport in Aluminum, Trek 2000, Specialized Allez in Steel, Nishiki Prestige</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Now I have to come up with a decent timeline and try my MTB list.</span>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-53137437214502339432012-04-01T20:33:00.001-07:002012-04-01T20:33:13.730-07:00Two Blind to Ride!My friend Tauru is riding his bike from the southern most point of South America to the top of Alaska to raise awareness for the vision impaired, which he is a part of.<br /><br />You can help support his ride by helping to vote for the film about his adventure that is trying to get to Sundance Film Festival.<br /><br />Share this link and vote.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.indiewire.com/article/vote-on-the-project-of-the-week-will-it-be-two-blind-mahogany-noise-or-beyond">http://www.indiewire.com/article/vote-on-the-project-of-the-week-will-it-be-two-blind-mahogany-noise-or-beyond</a>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-13307180947549805972012-03-08T11:39:00.001-07:002013-03-23T11:33:00.367-07:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Hey Eric are you the same Brazen_Cycle_Works on eBay?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">I do get this question a lot, and yes I buy and sell on eBay under that user name.&nbsp; I used to sell much more on ebay, but the fees between Paypal and eBay have gone out of control.&nbsp; It is difficult to pass on really great deals when ebay takes such a generous cut for themselves.&nbsp; I have turned to Craigslist &gt; Phoenix&gt; East Valley to sell which has been nice, but I rarely list items for sale on my blog.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">If you see an item I am selling I can make you a very competitive offer,&nbsp;so feel free to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><a href="mailto:brazen.cycleworks@gmail.com">email me directly</a>, with your phone number and how I can help.&nbsp; Spammers and scammers don't do this so I will know you are serious. I would be happy to give you a prompt call.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Consolas;"><span class="vi-xs vi-lk">Item number: 280882623955</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeepdLN4U4U/T1lBvUiNs3I/AAAAAAAAAKE/RbIMXzUp9F8/s1600/chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeepdLN4U4U/T1lBvUiNs3I/AAAAAAAAAKE/RbIMXzUp9F8/s1600/chart.png" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-5109425312853260452011-05-23T11:54:00.002-07:002011-05-23T12:54:01.853-07:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Amgen Tour of California attracts enthusiastic fans and Barry Bonds?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/Champange.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_Champange.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">In an awkward twist of sport viewing this week Barry Bonds took in the final stage of the <a href="http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/">Amgen Tour of California</a>.&nbsp; As this epic and highest rated international racing in the United States rolled from the frozen </span><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gamble-on-high-sierra-a-bust-for-amgen-tour-of-california"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Lake Tahoe</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"> to </span><a href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/news/chris-horner-wins-2011-amgen-tour-of-california-as-matt-goss-takes-stage-8-s_175419"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Thousand Oaks</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"> to the joy of Californians that enjoy a good spectacle and bike racing fans from around the world.&nbsp; Then it happened, as it has time and time again.&nbsp; The DRUGS IN CYCLING stories erupted in the races limelight.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">First, Tyler Hamilton published an </span><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tyler-hamiltons-letter-of-confession"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">open letter</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"> about his upcoming </span><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hamilton-alleges-armstrong-epo-positive-cover-up-on-60-minutes"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">appearance on 60 minutes</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"> where he confesses to the sins of his past.&nbsp; This gold medal winner was giving back his medal and giving up the name that prosecutors have been long looking for,&nbsp; ARMSTRONG.&nbsp; Tyler reported an eerily familiar recounting of events, that seem to match the </span><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/landis-confesses-to-doping-implicates-armstrong-and-bruyneel"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">discounted recollections of Floyd Landis</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"> on drug use within Lance Armstrong's teams during his unmatched 7 Tour de France titles.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Here in the moment of </span><a href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/news/chris-horner-wins-2011-amgen-tour-of-california-as-matt-goss-takes-stage-8-s_175419"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">celebration of the great sport that is cycling</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">, the harbingers of doom raise their ugly heads once again&nbsp;as to say, "Don't celebrate too soon."&nbsp; As this is playing out, during the week of great racing, more revelations seem to come from the <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/lance-armstrongs-new-nemesis-federal-agent-jeff-novitzky">prosecutors</a>, that even the most faithful of Lance Armstrong's lieutenants, </span><a href="http://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/articles/149506/20110520/reaction-george-hincapie-cbs-60-minutes-lance-armstrong-steroids.htm"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">George Hincapie has dumped on Lance</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">.&nbsp; George&nbsp;has allegedly revealed how drugs were used to secure Lance's wins and how you can be tested 500 times and still walk away with the best sponsorships/salaries/adulations that being at the top of cycling pantheon provides.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">It just puts into perspective how awesome cycling is and how far it has to go.&nbsp; Festina affair was 1998 and too many claimed that this was the cleansing that cycling needed.&nbsp; Then it was the biological passport and tougher testing.&nbsp; But if Tyler and Floyd are to be believed, then even getting caught is not that serious if you can pay off UCI chiefs as has been alleged.&nbsp; If Lance tested positive and worked with the governing body of cycling to make his failure disappear we have to overhaul more than just the attitude of riders.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">It is an overhaul of the system itself.&nbsp; More transparent sporting governance&nbsp;with more rider protections and the correct level of punishments from a uncorrupted sporting body.&nbsp; Rider management has to get better and the image of the sport can recover, as rider's can compete fairly, without taking unimaginable risks with their health and future well being.&nbsp; When you look at Tyler and Floyd you can see the promise of pro athletics and how the system failed them as young men.&nbsp; True, they failed themselves by falling to temptation, but they have suffered the type of losses in their personal and professional lives that you would not wish on your enemies.&nbsp; Now they seem to have rid themselves of the burden of lying and freed their souls to begin recovery and a semblance of normality they everyone deserves.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">That takes me back to Barry Bonds showing up at a bike race where a <a href="http://independentsources.com/2005/11/03/tour-of-california/">drug maker of EPO is the sponsor</a>.&nbsp; A more awkward moment you could not prepare.&nbsp; Was he there because he loves the drama and sporting aspects of cycling that made the tens of thousands of fans line the route?&nbsp; Or was he there and not smiling but smirking.&nbsp; Could he be thinking, "<a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/lance-armstrongs-new-nemesis-federal-agent-jeff-novitzky">Novitzky </a>scuffed me, but he is going to hammer you."&nbsp; I don't see Barry as a leader for pushing change to remove drugs from sports, but it also seems unlikely that he would go through the effort to attend,&nbsp; just for a Cilo Green FU moment.&nbsp; Let's hope he likes cycling the way us cycling fans do and is ready for the other shoe to fall, so we can finally clean out the closets of deception and get back to racing.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/BarryBonds.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_BarryBonds.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Photo provided by Charles H Brandt, no duplication or re-use allowed without permission, all rights reserved.</span>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-16386179251998993182011-05-23T10:10:00.001-07:002011-05-23T13:37:14.518-07:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Great Photos from the Amgen Tour of California.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Photos are courtesy of Charles H Brandt and D. Pineda.&nbsp; <span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Photos provided by Charles H Brandt, no duplication or re-use allowed without permission, all rights reserved.</span> </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/MtBaldy.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_MtBaldy.jpg" /></span></a></div><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Levi leading and&nbsp;finishing first&nbsp;on top of Mt. Baldy.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">&nbsp;</span></center><center><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/MtBadly2.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_MtBadly2.jpg" /></span></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Baldies, Levi and Chris, at 1 km to go on their mountain.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">&nbsp;</span></center><center><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/Judiandcleanbottle.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_Judiandcleanbottle.jpg" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">My mom, the mascot fan.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">&nbsp;</span></center><center><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/Charles.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_Charles.jpg" /></span></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">My dad, the super fan.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">&nbsp;</span></center><center><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/Champange.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_Champange.jpg" /></span></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Final Podium Celebration.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">&nbsp;</span></center><center><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/BMCTT.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_BMCTT.jpg" /></span></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">BMC taking on the Time Trial.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">&nbsp;</span></center><center><br /><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/PodiumFinal.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_PodiumFinal.jpg" /></span></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Final Podium</span></center><center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">&nbsp;</span></center><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/GhostRiders-AngenTour2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/brazencycleworks/th_GhostRiders-AngenTour2011.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">Ghost Riders in Sacramento.&nbsp; Photographer D. Pineda.</span></div>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23821152.post-48603053235823670462010-12-14T11:51:00.000-07:002010-12-14T11:51:54.512-07:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1.Start a Bucket list</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">I just finished an item from my bucket list.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">1.Start a Bucket list</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">2. Complete a ride across America</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif;">The inspiration is below.&nbsp; I don't have to do the race to check off the item.</span><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/alEHvr-zKm0?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/alEHvr-zKm0?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Eric Brandthttps://plus.google.com/103455481228321620829noreply@blogger.com0